Lady Lions decimate 'Cats, Condor League
by Misty Volaski

Villanova's girls' varsity softball squad knew they didn't have much of a chance last week when they faced CIF's No. 1-ranked team, Oaks Christian. The Lady Lions, who blanked Villanova, 12-0, have lost only one game this season and are ranked fifth in state.
Lions Sara Radabaugh (7-0) and Ashlee Freeman (7-1) teamed up to strike out 16 Wildcat batters, despite Villanova coach Bob Malkin's potent Wildcat offense. Radabaugh and Freeman both have 0.0 ERAs and a combined 202 strikeouts.
The Wildcats' only offense came in the fifth inning when Beth Schey got on base because of an error by the first baseman. Kaitlin Gilchrist came in to run for Schey, but got tagged trying to steal third base. Erika Helson laid down a bunt that allowed Tiffany Adams, who was walked, to get to third. The Wildcats had runners on the corners with two outs, but Freeman fanned the next batter to end the inning.
Freeman and Radabaugh are both expected to succeed in collegiate softball, said Malkin and John Jenks, Villanova's hitting coach. The Lady Lions will be moving up to the Frontier League next year, where they will face opponents such as Nordhoff.
Jenks noted that "Oaks Christian pitchers are awesome. Still, it would be a lot more fun to watch if (they) were pitching against someone else's team."
However, the next day the Wildcat batters were back in action against Laguna Blanca. The Wildcats were once again led by sophomore Erika Madison, who went three for three with three RBIs and a two-run home run.
Teammate Brittany Fletcher went three for four with a triple and three RBIs. Also going three for four was Adams, who added an RBI, as well. Freshman pitcher Connelly Jenks collected the win and went three for four offensively and had two RBIs. First-year player Stephanie DeSantis went two for three with a triple.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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